Turkish military forces enter Syria

Turkish military forces entered the territory of Syria to protect the tomb of Shah Suleyman, Turkish newspaper Milliyet reported on April 24.

The number of military units was not disclosed.

The matter rests in a small enclave on the territory of Syria, about 30 km from the border with Turkey. A funerary complex is located on a one hectare area on the shore of the Euphrates River.

There is a tomb with the remains of Shah Suleyman (1178-1227), the grandfather of the founder of the Ottoman Empire, Osman I on its territory. The tomb is considered the sovereign territory of Turkey according to the Ankara agreement of 1921, signed between Turkey and France, which occupied Syria during that period. In 1946, after gaining independence from France, the Syrian authorities officially recognized Turkish sovereignty over this territory. Today about 30 Turkish soldiers protect the complex territory.

Currently, the village with the burial-vault passed to the militants from the "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" group associated with Al-Qaeda.

Earlier, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that Turkey is ready to defend its territory in Syria.
Translated by NH
Edited by CN